cafes

Big love

Today started off with this:

So that’s pretty cute in my opinion. I’ll have you know that Jamie’s not always that happy sitting on the floor. Correction: he’s almost never that happy sitting on the floor nowadays. Being eleven months and all, he’s at that stage where he wants to be on his feet and be in the middle of all the action but sadly he can’t stand up by himself yet so needs what I like to call a ‘propper’ – ie. me or Rick or any available grandparent. Unfortunately for Jamie, said parents are usually running around getting milk or taking out the dirty nappies so the poor thing is stuck sitting on the floor a lot. Discontent and screaming, I might add. We still love him big time though.

After lunchtime, the boys went down for their naps and I drove off in our little green Corolla and headed up to Avalon Beach. (At this point, alarm bells are probably ringing in your heads. Relax – my wonderful mother-in-law was back at home with the little ones. If no alarm bells went off, shame on you.)

It’s so bizarre that I’ve lived in Sydney for some twenty-five years now and yet this is the first time that I’ve actually explored the northern beaches. It is seriously a beautiful place here.

Here’s proof:

Anyway, as I drove up Pittwater Road with the ocean on my right, I almost felt like a glamorous movie star cruising around sunny California with oversized 50s sunglasses and a silk bandana protecting my hair from the wind. Only difference being that my Corolla is no convertible and I looked nothing like a glamorous movie star. But still.

Once parked, I contemplated a snooze in the car (and indeed I tweeted about this as I thought everyone should know that I was contemplating #asnoozeinthecar) but after several minutes of discomfort, I decided I wasn’t falling asleep but my tummy was getting hungry.

So I went here:

Awesome, right? I mean, is there anything cooler than a gigantic chalkboard combined with picture perfect handwriting? If we were to ever own a house, I think I would seriously consider painting one entire wall with chalkboard paint. Thank you, Frank. (Funny that, because the barista’s name was Richard.)

Next to Frank’s cafe was the Mark Tuckey Home store. My goodness, it was filled with all sorts of eye candy. In particular, a bright yellow vintage typewriter made me swoon while some vintage-saris-turned-bedspreads almost made me abandon our white colour scheme in the bedroom. With all my willpower, I walked out with only a small notebook o-check notebook (this one in fact) as well as a sweet birthday card for Rick.

When I finally got home, it was time for some outdoor play with all three boys which, yes, involved me propping up the littlest guy. He doesn’t let up, that one. Fast forward through dinner and bathtime (and a lot of tidying and cleaning), I finally got to sit down in the boys’ room for two minutes before the little guys trundled in to be dressed. I look calm in this photo because I knew that there wasn’t long to go…

And once I put Jamie down, there was this…

Peace. Quiet. All I could hear was the distant murmuring of Rick with Angus and Pete as he finished saying goodnight to them.

Yes, my husband is awesome. He does the mornings, and he does the bedtimes. Oh, and he makes me yummy and healthy food to eat:

And that’s why he deserves this:

‘Big Love’ card by Me and Amber; vintage green necklace from Sobrina Blue.

Thus ends my impromptu ‘a day in the life.’ Gosh I had fun writing this! Thanks to Elise for the inspiration.

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Inside or out?

Given a choice, Rick will always elect to sit outside at a cafe. And so we did. Every single time we visited the Sea Vista Cafe at Gerringong during our week away, we sat outside.

I wasn’t that happy about it the first time: being a wimp and all, I’m just not that big a fan of strong winds by the sea. Sad, I know, but true.

But by the time the weekend rolled around, I’d toughened up a bit (just a bit) and so when the waitress asked us whether we wanted to sit inside or outside, it was me who replied – of my own free will and accord – that we would sit outside, thank you. And would all the customers inside the cafe mind moving their chairs out of the way because our pram is just that big, yes it is.

It was a good brunch, that one. We munched on delicious seafood tapas, we avoided disturbing the other people outside (and by that I mean, none left upon seeing us and our big fat pram emerge on the patio), Jamie managed to fall asleep in his pram and Pete actually stayed sitting happily in the high chair. Talk about breakthroughs and milestones all round.

That’s Pete hiding behind the menu, playing peekaboo with Rick. Either that or he’s licking the menu. And it wouldn’t be the first time…

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Hey good-looking…

I have to say – I love a good-looking cafe. (Yes, I’m shallow like that.)

And in my opinion, Awaba is a hot contender.

Not only does it overlook the gorgeous Balmoral Beach, but I just love the white base palette, the use of raw concrete, the curvy chairs, the split level and the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The result is a cafe space that seems much bigger than it really is and unusual geometric lines wherever you look.

You like?

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Our new measure of success

We recently discovered a new cafe in our local area which serves Campos coffee. It only took us a year and a half.

Anyway, we went as a family on our day off last week and the outing was relatively successful. And by that I mean:

  • We were able to get our pram through the tiny front door.
  • We didn’t knock down anyone in the process.
  • Rick and I managed to drink our coffees before they went completely cold.
  • Pete was happy to stay in his pram for about fifteen minutes before screaming.
  • James fell asleep after twenty-five minutes.
  • The cafe owner did not tell us to take our chaos and leave.
  • We did not create any discernible floor mess.
  • I enjoyed one minute of peace before paying the bill.

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Before the animals, there was caffeine

We Masons have our priorities all right and proper.

First give us our caffeine. Then we’ll look at the animals.

We did spend a bit of time at the cafe, I have to say. It wasn’t that we were snubbing the animals though. It was more that we needed some time to lure Pete into that giant backpack you see in that last photo. Plus, yes, we Masons really do love our coffee.

As you can see, I was quite obsessed with the decor of the cafe. Who knew a zoo cafe could be so groovy? (Who knew that you can still use the word ‘groovy’ in the year 2011?)

Anyway, here’s a question for you to test your powers of observation: how many Mason boys can you spot in that last photo?

Answer shall be revealed in the next post. Who knows, if you get it right, there might even be a prize! (Or there might not be, you never know.)

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